Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute Heart Failure/Heart Transplant Service is the only center in the region providing a full range of services in the management of heart failure. Heart failure is a major public health problem and is the most common reason for hospitalization for people over the age of 65 years. Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has a staff that is dedicated to the management of heart failure. Additionally, we are pioneers in heart failure research, including work in heart transplantation, artificial hearts and blood pumps, and pacing treatments for heart failure.

The heart transplant program is certified by the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) and has been an active program since 1984. A team of physicians, nurses and other specialists participate in the care of these patients including dedicated heart failure/heart transplant cardiologists, heart transplant surgeons, and transplant coordinators.

In addition to heart transplantation, the Heart Failure/Heart Transplant Service is involved in several lines of research for the treatment of heart failure. These include medical therapies, pacing therapies for heart failure, the use of new cardiac constraint devices, left ventricular assist devices and the total artificial heart.

Consultation is available through the PSHVI Silver Clinic located in the University Physician Center, Suite 600, of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center or at the PSHVI Nyes Road Clinic in Harrisburg.